As the saying goes, you can spend a thousand days catching a thief, but you can’t spend a thousand days guarding against one.
Moreover, the threat from Demon Sea Island had yet to be resolved. It was tying up the primary strength of the Great Immortal Gates, creating a chaotic and frustrating situation.
"Alright, we’ve just won a great battle, let’s not all be so downhearted!" Sect Leader Zhuo Canglang announced, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "The current situation is much better than it was a thousand years ago... We were victorious back then, and we can certainly be victorious today! No matter what, we must not waver. Otherwise... how could we possibly vanquish demons, defend the Way, and protect the mortal realm?"
The crowd’s spirits lifted slightly as they responded in unison, "We will heed your teachings, Sect Leader!"
"Mm!" Zhuo Canglang nodded with satisfaction before continuing, "In this battle, Martial Nephew Wang Xiu deserves the greatest credit! After conferring, we have decided to issue a comndation.
"The rewards will include 100,000 Spirit Stones, ten Feather Spirit Pills, and three Superior Grade Spirit Weapons. Henceforth, all your expenditures in any of the Sect’s branches will receive a thirty-four percent discount!
"Spirit Turtle Peak will enjoy special recruitnt privileges for the next thirty years!
"Furthermore, all of its disciples will have their status and benefits raised by one level!"
He paused, a smile spreading across his face as he looked at Wang Xiu. "And in addition to all that, you may choose any three seniors from across all the branches to guide your cultivation for the next one hundred years! This includes any of the branch heads!"
"Many thanks, Sect Leader!" Wang Xiu cupped his hands, feeling a jolt of surprise. There are more rewards? The Immortal Sect is being this generous?
"This is all what you deserve!" Zhuo Canglang said with a smile, then continued his announcent. "There is one more matter. From this day forward, Martial Nephew Wang Xiu shall be the new Saint Heir of our Sanqing Immortal Sect! Does anyone have any objections?"
The hall fell silent for a mont.
"I agree!" Dugu Qingqian was the first to speak, her voice crisp and cool.
"I also agree!" Gong Shangyu echoed.
"Agreed!"
Then, all the branch heads voiced their agreent in unison, passing the motion unanimously. This matter had already been settled before the opening of the Ancient Sanctuary; today was just a formality.
But those cries of "agreed," coming from such powerful individuals, held far more significance than before. It signified their complete approval.
In terms of talent, strength, influence, and prestige, Wang Xiu was the undisputed choice for Saint Heir.
"Thank you, Martial Uncles. I will continue to work hard and not disappoint your high hopes for !" Wang Xiu bowed respectfully, his bearing neither servile nor overbearing.
"Our Sanqing has not had a Saint Heir for nearly a thousand years, not since the great calamity! Now, the accession of the Saint Heir heralds our sect’s revival. When things are at their worst, they can only get better! We will restore Sanqing to its forr glory!" a white crow on Zhuo Canglang’s shoulder cawed loudly, its body radiating an immortal light. Its voice bood like thunder, expertly stirring the crowd’s emotions.
"Restore Sanqing! Our fortunes will turn!"
"Restore Sanqing! Our fortunes will turn!"
"Restore Sanqing! Our fortunes will turn!"
Everyone began to chant, their eyes filled with unyielding resolve, glowing with a powerful light of faith. Even the other disciples on the flying ship were swept up in the fervor, shouting along with them.
At that mont, the flying ship began to glow, and the mists of Chaos in the void dispersed, as if the gloomy haze on Sanqing’s path forward was clearing away.
"The enthronent ceremony for the Saint Heir is tentatively set for one month from now," Zhuo Canglang announced, his hands clasped behind his back. "Alright, if there is nothing else, you may all disperse. I have a few words for the Saint Heir..."
The crowd dispersed.
"Sect Leader, what are your instructions?" Wang Xiu asked, puzzled.
"There are no outsiders here, no need to be so formal. Just call Martial Uncle!" Zhuo Canglang said with a laugh, patting Wang Xiu on the shoulder.
Wang Xiu’s heart tightened. This felt bad. It seed the Sect Leader was about to drop a bombshell.
"Uh... Martial Uncle, if there’s nothing particularly important, may I be excused?" Wang Xiu ventured.
"No rush!" Zhuo Canglang rubbed his hands together, a troubled expression on his face. "Wang, my boy, you’re a sensible kid. You probably know that the Immortal Sect has been having a tough ti these past years. Funds are quite tight. On top of that, the Demon Race is restless and could start a war at any mont. Sanqing needs to be on a war footing, which makes things even tighter!"
"You can just say what’s on your mind, Martial Uncle!" Wang Xiu said, his mouth twitching slightly.
"Ahem..." Zhuo Canglang coughed twice, looking a bit embarrassed. "It’s nothing much, it’s just... about the rewards we promised you. Could we owe them to you for the ti being?"
"Huh?" Wang Xiu’s eyes widened.
"Don’t worry, it’s not everything! Just the Elixirs and Magical Treasures. And it’s only temporary, I promise we will make it up to you later!" Zhuo Canglang said earnestly.
Wang Xiu wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, his face twitching uncontrollably.
After a mont of thought, he realized... aside from the Elixirs and Magical Treasures, what rewards were actually left?
The special recruitnt authority for Spirit Turtle Peak would allow them to have first pick of disciples during the next recruitnt assembly, and this would last for thirty years. This would be huge for any other branch, but for Spirit Turtle Peak, it was completely useless!
Then there was the upgrade in status and benefits for all Spirit Turtle Peak disciples. But Spirit Turtle Peak only had two disciples right now. He himself was already the Saint Heir; there was no higher level for him. And Jiang Ling’er? She wasn’t a direct disciple, but her de facto status was already comparable. An official promotion would be aningless. Even if she beca a Closed-door Disciple, what good would it do? Luo Binglan couldn’t teach her anyway! At most, she’d get a few more Spirit Stones each month.
Hmm, wait!
There was one other thing. He could choose any three powerful experts from the major branches to guide his cultivation for a hundred years. This reward was clearly designed with Luo Binglan’s situation in mind. They must have also considered that he was unlikely to transfer branches, which is why they created this specific reward. It would allow him to have a real master—soone to guide his cultivation and offer instruction whenever he needed it.
Zhuo Canglang and the others were afraid that a promising talent like him would go to waste.
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